Patent ductus arteriosus: endovascular treatment in adult patient

The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common type of congenital heart defect and its correction is simple when performed early in life. Surgery is performed using stitches or clips. In adults, the anomaly can lead to pulmonary hypertension and ventricular dysfunction. Surgery in adults is controversial and high-risk. This report describes an alternative endovascular approach in an adult patient.A persistência do canal arterial (PCA) é uma anomalia relativamente freqüente e de simples correção. A correção envolve a ligadura do ducto com ou sem a sua secção. A anomalia em adultos pode provocar hipertensão pulmonar persistente e disfunção ventricular. A correção em adultos é controversa e de maior risco. Um caso de correção endovascular com acesso intra-abdominal da PCA em adulto é descrito.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Cost-Effective Platform for Particulate Matter Rapid Monitoring

Particles in the air with volume ≤ 2.5 μm3 have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, rapid monitoring systems are crucial to obtain information about particulate matter (PM) concentrations and make this information publicly available. Supported by WHO criteria, this text focuses on the development of a field-portable cost-effective platform for rapid monitoring, data acquisition of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and measurements of environmental variables (relative air humidity and temperature) at the micrometeorological level, in addition to providing access via the Internet of Thing (IoT). The platform was tested, as well as validating its results when compared to those made available at the National Meteorology Institute-INMET (Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia). Based on this technology, tests and measurements have been performed in the local presence of the population and vehicle traffic, in order to identify the concentrations of PM in public places. Between the results obtained, the device recorded higher temperature and low humidity, at 12 noon, and the average hourly reached 175.3 µg/m3 (PM10) and 164.2 µg/m3 (PM2.5), which means a warning sign. This computational platform would be useful for cost-effective and rapid quantification of PM density even in field and resource-poor settings

Replacement of pulmonary artery trunk in sheep using tubular valved heterograft in non-aldehydic preservation

INTRODUCTION: The cardiac bioprostheses are related to thromboembolic events, infectious and degenerative diseases. Wear is mainly attributed to the denaturation of collagen. Glutaraldehyde, the predominant method of preservation of bioprostheses, favors the calcification process and limits their durability. Several techniques try to contain the degenerative process of bioprostheses. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the process of calcification in vivo pulmonary valve heterografts preserved in non-aldehydic (L-Hydro®). METHODS: Seventeen sheep underwent replacement of the pulmonary artery valved tubular grafts of bovine pericardium. The animals were divided into two groups: Group L-Hydro® (test / n = 14) and Group Glutaraldehyde (control / n = 3). About 150 days after implantation the animals were sacrificed, necropsied and implants subjected to a pathological study, radiological evaluation and measurement of calcium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis was obtained through the Fisher's exact test, Student's t or Mann-Whitney test (significance: 5%). RESULTS: The radiological evaluation, the macroscopic and microscopic measurement of serum calcium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed increased calcification of the prosthetic group Glutaraldehyde, when compared to denture-HydroR Group L (P = 0.001). Seven animals in Group L-Hydro® (50%) had adherence of the leaflets to the wall of the tube (P = 0.228). CONCLUSIONS: Prostheses preserved in L-Hydro® were more resistant to calcification when compared with glutaraldehyde preserved.INTRODUÇÃO: As biopróteses valvares cardíacas estão relacionadas a eventos tromboembólicos, infecciosos e degenerativos. Seu desgaste é atribuído principalmente à desnaturação do colágeno. O glutaraldeído, método predominante de preservação de biopróteses, favorece o processo de calcificação e limita sua durabilidade. Diversas técnicas tentam conter o processo degenerativo das biopróteses. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o processo de calcificação, in vivo, de heteroenxertos pulmonares valvados, preservados em meio não-aldeídico (L-Hydro®). MÉTODOS: Dezessete carneiros foram submetidos à substituição do tronco da artéria pulmonar por enxerto tubular valvado de pericárdio bovino. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos: Grupo L-Hydro® (teste / n=14) e Grupo Glutaraldeído (controle /n=3). Cerca de 150 dias pós-implante os animais foram sacrificados, necropsiados e as próteses submetidas a estudo anatomopatológico, avaliação radiológica e dosagem do cálcio por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica. A análise estatística foi obtida por meio dos testes exato de Fisher, T de Student ou Mann-Whitney (significância: 5%). RESULTADOS: A avaliação radiológica, macroscopia, microscopia e dosagem de cálcio por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica demonstraram maior calcificação nas próteses do Grupo Glutaraldeído, quando comparadas às próteses do Grupo L-Hydro® (P=0,001). Sete animais do Grupo L-Hydro® (50%) apresentaram aderência das cúspides à parede do tubo (P=0,228). CONCLUSÕES: As próteses preservadas em L-Hydro® demonstraram-se mais resistentes à calcificação, quando comparadas às preservadas em glutaraldeído.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaLabcor LaboratórioUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Off-pump transapical balloon-expandable aortic valve endoprosthesis implantation

OBJECTIVE: The aortic valve replacement is a routine procedure, and involves replacement of the native valve/prosthesis. In most of the patients who undergo such procedure the risk is acceptable, but in some cases, such risk can justify contraindication. The minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve implantation without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been shown to be viable, with lower morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to develop a catheter-mounted aortic bioprosthesis for implantation without CPB. METHODS: After developing in animals, three patients with high EuroSCORE underwent implantation. Case 1: patients with bioprosthesis dysfunction; Case 2: severe aortic stenosis; Case 3: dysfunction of aortic bioprosthesis. After minithoracotomy and under echocardiographic and fluoroscopic control, a balloon catheter was placed on aortic position and inflated. After, a second balloon with valved endoprosthesis was positioned and released under high ventricular rate. Echocardiographic and angiographic controls were performed and the patients were referred to ICU. RESULTS: In the first case, implantation without CPB was possible with appropriate results. The patient evolved with improvement of ventricular function. After, this patient developed bronchopneumonia, tracheoesophageal fistula and died due to mediastinitis. Autopsy confirmed proper valve positioning and leaflets preservation. The second case showed the device migration after inflation of the balloon, with the need for urgent median sternotomy, CPB and conventional valve replacement. This patient evolved well and was discharged from the ICU on the 14th postoperative day without complications. This patient developed respiratory infection, septic shock and died on the 60th postoperative day. The patient from the third case underwent successful implantation. CONCLUSION: The off-pump transapical implantation of catheter-mounted bioprosthesis was shown to be a feasible procedure. Technical details and learning curve require further discussion.OBJETIVO: A troca valvar aórtica é procedimento rotineiro, envolve substituição da valva nativa/prótese. Na maioria destes pacientes o risco é aceitável, porém, em alguns casos, o risco predito pode justificar contra-indicação. O implante de valva aórtica minimamente invasivo transcateter e sem circulação extracorpórea (CEC) tem se mostrado viável, com menor morbi-mortalidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver bioprótese aórtica, montada em cateter, para implante sem CEC. MÉTODOS: Após desenvolvimento em animais, três pacientes com EuroSCORE elevado foram submetidos ao implante. Caso 1: portador de bioprótese com disfunção; Caso 2: estenose aórtica grave; Caso 3: disfunção de bioprótese aórtica. Após minitoracotomia e sob controle ecocardiográfico e fluoroscópico, cateter-balão foi posicionado sobre posição aórtica e insuflado. Após, segundo cateter-balão, com endoprótese valvada, foi posicionado e liberado sob alta frequência ventricular. Controles angiográficos e ecocardiográficos foram realizados e pacientes encaminhados para UTI. RESULTADOS: No primeiro caso foi possível implante sem CEC com resultados adequados. Evoluiu com melhora da função ventricular. Cursou com broncopneumonia, fístula traqueo-esofágica e óbito por mediastinite. Necropsia confirmou bom posicionamento valvar e preservação dos folhetos. O segundo caso apresentou migração do dispositivo após insuflação do balão, necessidade de esternotomia mediana de urgência, CEC e troca valvar convencional. O paciente evoluiu bem, recebendo alta da UTI 14 dias após procedimento e sem complicações. Cursou com infecção respiratória, choque séptico e óbito no 60º pós-operatório. O terceiro caso foi submetido a implante com sucesso. CONCLUSÃO: O implante de bioprótese transapical montada em cateter sem CEC mostrou ser procedimento factível. Detalhes técnicos e a curva de aprendizado demandam discussão.UNIFESPUNIFESPSciEL

Recent Trends in Pharmacological Activity of Alkaloids in Animal Colitis: Potential Use for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and disrupted inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD have two main conditions, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and have been extensively investigated in recent years. Antibiotics derived from salicylates, steroids, immunosuppressors, and anti-TNF therapy are part of the therapeutic arsenal for IBD. However, very often patients stop responding to treatments over the time. In this context, searching for alternative agents is crucial for IBD clinical management. Natural products derived from medicinal plants are an interesting therapeutic alternative, since several studies have proven effective treatments in animal models of intestinal inflammation. Several naturally occurring compounds are potent antioxidants, both as free radical scavengers and as modulators of antioxidant enzymes expression and activity. A number of natural compounds have also been proved to inhibit the release of proinflammatory cytokines, decreasing the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), which is important to the inflammatory response in IBD. The alkaloids are substances of a very diverse class of plant secondary metabolites; an extensive list of biological activities has been attributed to alkaloids, such as being anticholinergic, antitumor, diuretic, antiviral, antihypertensive, antiulcer, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. In the present work, studies on the pharmacological activity of alkaloids in experimental models of IBD were reviewed

Holt-Winters Forecasting for Brazilian Natural Gas Production

Nowadays, the market for natural gas production and its use as a source of energy supply has been growing substantially in Brazil. However, the use of tools that assist the industry in the management of production can be essential for the strategic decision-making process. In this intuit, this work aims to evaluate the formulation of Holt Winter\u27s additive and multiplicative time series to forecast Brazilian natural gas production. A comparison between the models and their forecast play a vital role for policymakers in the strategic plan, and the models estimated production values ​​for the year 2018 based on the information contained in the interval between 2010 and 2017. Therefore, It was verified that the multiplicative method had a good performance so that we can conclude this formulation is ideal for such an application since all the predicted results by this model showed greater accuracy within the 95% confidence interval

Soroprevalência de chikungunya, zika e dengue em gestantes de um hospital do sudeste do Brasil

Background and objectives: For decades, dengue outbreaks have been affecting vast territories of the Americas. In 2010’s decade, Chikungunya and Zika virus (CHIKV and ZIKV) emerged as new arboviruses in the region. While several seroprevalence rates have been reported for dengue virus (DENV) infection in Brazil, serological surveys for the latest are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of CHIKV, ZIKV, and DENV infections in pregnant women at admission to a public maternity hospital of Nova Iguaçu, state of Rio de Janeiro. Methods: A simple questionnaire was applied, containing limited demographic, obstetric, and clinical data, alongside with blood collection. Different commercial test kits, based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were used. Results: Among 349 pregnant women enrolled from July to December 2017, there was a 28.4% seroreactivity for CHIKV, 47.2% for ZIKV, and 88.8% for DENV. Conclusion: These findings reflect the high dengue endemicity scenario and suggest a significant reach of the recent outbreaks of ZIKV and CHIKV infections in the region.  Justificación y objetivos: Durante décadas, los brotes de dengue han afectado a vastos territorios de las Américas. En la década de 2010, los virus Chikungunya y Zika (CHIKV y ZIKV) surgieron como arbovirus emergentes en la región. Aunque se han reportadas varias tasas de seroprevalencia para la infección por el virus del dengue (DENV) en Brasil, la investigación serológica para el chikungunya y el Zika es escasa. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la seroprevalencia de infecciones por CHIKV, ZIKV y DENV en mujeres embarazadas ingresadas en una maternidad pública en Nova Iguaçu, estado de Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Se aplicó un sencillo cuestionario, que contenía datos demográficos, obstétricos y clínicos limitados, y se extrajo sangre en la misma visita. Se utilizaron diferentes kits de prueba comerciales basados ​​en el ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (ELISA). Resultados: De 349 mujeres embarazadas reclutadas de julio a diciembre de 2017, hubo serorreactividad de 28,4% para CHIKV, 47,2% para ZIKV y 88,8% para DENV. Conclusión: Estos hallazgos reflejan el escenario de alta endemicidad para el dengue y sugieren una variedad significativa de brotes recientes causados ​​por ZIKV y CHIKV en la región.Justificativas e objetivos: Há décadas, surtos de dengue afetam vastos territórios das Américas. Na década de 2010, os vírus Chikungunya e Zika (CHIKV e ZIKV) surgiram como arbovírus emergentes na região. Embora diversas taxas de soroprevalência tenham sido relatadas para a infecção pelo vírus da dengue (DENV) no Brasil, pesquisas sorológicas para chikungunya e zika são escassas. Objetivou-se avaliar a soroprevalência das infecções por CHIKV, ZIKV e DENV em gestantes admitidas em uma maternidade pública de Nova Iguaçu, estado do Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Foi aplicado um questionário simples, contendo dados demográficos, obstétricos e clínicos limitados, sendo realizada coleta de sangue na mesma visita. Diferentes kits de teste comerciais, baseados em ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA), foram utilizados. Resultados: De 349 gestantes recrutadas de julho a dezembro de 2017, houve sororreatividade de 28,4% para CHIKV, 47,2% para ZIKV e 88,8% para DENV. Conclusão: Esses achados refletem o cenário de alta endemicidade da dengue e sugerem um alcance significativo dos surtos recentes causados por ZIKV e CHIKV na região

Comparison of post-exercise hypotension responses in Paralympic powerlifting athletes after completing two bench press training intensities.

Background and objective: Post-exercise hypotension, the reduction of blood pressure after a bout of exercise, is of great clinical relevance. Resistance exercise training is considered an important contribution to exercise training programs for hypertensive individuals and athletes. In this context, post-exercise hypotension could be clinically relevant because it would maintain blood pressure of hypertensive individuals transiently at lower levels during day-time intervals, when blood pressure is typically at its highest levels. The aim of this study was to compare the post-exercise cardiovascular effects on Paralympic powerlifting athletes of two typical high-intensity resistance-training sessions, using either five sets of five bench press repetitions at 90% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) or five sets of three bench press repetitions at 95% 1RM. Materials and Methods: Ten national-level Paralympic weightlifting athletes (age: 26.1 ± 6.9 years; body mass: 76.8 ± 17.4 kg) completed the two resistance-training sessions, one week apart, in a random order. Results: Compared with baseline values, a reduction of 5–9% in systolic blood pressure was observed after 90% and 95% of 1RM at 20–50 min post-exercise. Furthermore, myocardial oxygen volume and double product were only significantly increased immediately after and 5 min post-exercise, while the heart rate was significantly elevated after the resistance training but decreased to baseline level by 50 min after training for both training conditions. Conclusions: A hypotensive response can be expected in elite Paralympic powerlifting athletes after typical high-intensity type resistance-training sessions.publishedVersio

Royal Jelly And Its Dual Role In Tnbs Colitis In Mice.

Royal Jelly (RJ) is widely consumed in diets throughout the world due to its beneficial effects: antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory. We have investigated the role of RJ in the development of TNBS colitis in mice. Colitis was induced by a rectal instillation of TNBS at 0.1 mL per mouse. Intestine samples of the animals orally treated with RJ (100, 150, and 200 mg/kg) were collected for antioxidant assays (GSH and GSH-Px), proinflammatory protein quantification (COX-2 and NF-κB), and histological analyses. RJ 100 mg/kg maintained GSH levels and increased the activity of GSH-Px, downregulated key inflammatory mediators (COX-2 and NF-κB), and decreased the lesions caused by TNBS as shown by the histological analyses. In conclusion, RJ showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in experimental colitis, resulting in the amelioration of the macroscopic and histological analyses. These results corroborate with the RJ supplementation in diets.201595623